# The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)

**Code:** `0xC0000142` · **Category:** Windows · **Seen on:** Windows

A DLL the program loads failed to initialise — often after an update, with corrupt runtimes, or when a desktop heap/session limit is hit.

## Meaning

STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED. Office/Click-to-Run, games and command-line tools hit it when a system DLL or runtime is damaged, or when too many processes exhaust the desktop heap (many cmd/conhost windows from services).

## Common causes

- Corrupt system files or Visual C++ runtimes
- Faulty Office/app update
- Desktop heap exhausted (services spawning many processes)
- Security software blocking DLL loads

## Quick fix

1. Repair the app (Office: Quick Repair) and reinstall VC++ redistributables
2. sfc /scannow and DISM /RestoreHealth
3. Reboot to clear desktop heap

## Detailed fix by platform

### Windows

1. 

```powershell
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
winget install Microsoft.VCRedist.2015+.x64
```


## How to diagnose

1. **Scope** — One program or all?
2. **Recent** — Updates installed?
3. **Events** — Application log errors

---
Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/windows/0xc0000142-dll-initialization-failed)